Qantas vs Virgin: the $30 upgrade that could change how you fly domestic

Qantas has a brand new superior economy service available to book now - and one expert is calling it a "game changer".

Called Economy Plus, it offers up to 40 per cent more legroom, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space.

Economy Plus seats will be offered across Boeing 737, Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircraft, on domestic flights and to select short-haul international destinations including Bali, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Qantas Economy Plus seats are now on sale, with the first flights taking off on February 6.

Flat Beds founder and managing director, Mark Trim, called the service "the most significant development in domestic travel for some time" and said it was "an absolute game changer for high-tier Qantas frequent flyer members". But more on this shortly.

Passengers pay a fee to upgrade to Economy Plus seats, which are situated at the front of the economy cabin, as well as in the main and exit row seating, depending on the aircraft and route.

Mr Trim said this equates to four inches of extra legroom, and "forward cabin seating" - up the front of the cabin. And while many frequent flyer members already receive priority zonal boarding, Economy Plus gives non-frequent flyers or bronze members the opportunity to board first, he said.

The service will rival Virgin Australia's Economy X offering launched in 2017, which offers the same benefits - up to 40 per cent more leg room, priority boarding and preferred overhead lockers.

A one-way Qantas Economy Plus seat from Sydney to Melbourne will begin at $30 in addition to the fare price, and passengers will be able to view and book these seats online and on the Qantas app.

A one-way Economy Plus seat from Melbourne to Auckland will start from $35 on top of the fare price, or passengers can use Qantas Points, which on this route would cost 6000 points.

At this stage, it looks as though customers might be able to get a Qantas Economy Plus seat for slightly cheaper than Virgin's Economy X offering on some routes, but Virgin is competitive on others. For example, Qantas has promoted its Sydney to Perth seat from $70, while Virgin's website states a Perth to Sydney seat will cost from $85.

However, Virgin has met Qantas's announcement with a pop-up sale, reducing the price of its Economy X seats on popular routes - including between Sydney and Melbourne - to $15 for a limited time. The upgrade on that particularly route is from $35 (front section) and $23 (exit rows) during non-sale periods.

But some Qantas customers get this service for free. Platinum and Platinum One members receive complimentary Economy Plus access at the time of booking, while Gold members get free access 24 hours prior to departure, subject to availability.

Lucky customers travelling on the same booking as a member eligible for Economy Plus will also receive free access.

Similarly, with Virgin's Economy X, Velocity members who are Platinum or Platinum Plus are entitled to a complimentary upgrade for themselves, as well as up to eight travelling companions on the same booking for domestic and short-haul flights.

Qantas reconfigured its 737 fleet to offer 48 seats in the mid-cabin and forward areas. If you're on an A220, your flight will have 20 Economy Plus seats. And the A321XLR will provide 36 seats.

Mr Trim said as well as competing with Economy X on Virgin, Qantas Economy Plus would also go head-to-head with 'Legroom' seating on Air New Zealand.

"To date in Australia, Economy X has been in a class of its own and a 'sweet spot' cabin on slightly longer routes such as those to WA or across the Tasman when perhaps business class is overkill for some," he said.

He said while Qantas new service will be available to everyone who pays the fee, the benefit was significant for Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers and also provided "a huge benefit for aspirational frequent flyers to strive for".

"This additional benefit on domestic and short-haul flights makes travel a lot more comfortable," he said.